09/09/2026
What a great success story between Turning Pointe Dance Studio and Community Futures Crowsnest Pass!
✨ Success Story! 👏
Turning Pointe Dance Studio owner Tara Fenton was approached by her friend, Christina Samson, presented with the opportunity to continue teaching dance in the Crowsnest Pass, where there was a need for a dedicated dance teacher. At the time, she was living in Lethbridge and had recently become a new mother. She saw this opportunity as a chance for a fresh start while continuing to pursue the work she loved.
The community welcomed Tara warmly, and the studio continued to grow. As enrollment increased, it was recognized the need for a permanent, welcoming space where dancers and their families could feel at home. To achieve this, there was a need to purchase and renovate a suitable building. Securing financing through traditional financial institutions can be challenging for small businesses, but Community Futures Crowsnest Pass believed in their vision and provided the guidance and financial support needed to make this important project possible.
Working with Shar Lazzarotto, who was the Community Futures Crowsnest Pass Office Manager at that time, and the rest of the Community Futures team gave Turning Pointe the encouragement, guidance, and confidence to pursue this project. Community Futures Crowsnest Pass helped with support the purchase of the building we had been operating in and transformed it into our own studio.
Turning Pointe has now been part of the Crowsnest Pass community for more than 26 years and have worked with hundreds of local families throughout that time. They've had the joy of watching many of our students grow up, start families of their own, and bring their children to our studio to experience the many benefits of dance.
Through dance, students develop confidence, respect, teamwork, and self-awareness. Turning Pointe notes that none of this would have been possible without the support we received from Community Futures Crowsnest Pass. The investment of Community Futures in our business helped us create a lasting home for our studio and continue serving generations of families in the community.
Community Futures Crowsnest Pass is proud to have been a part of this journey and helped make a dream of owning a permanent home for this business a reality.
For more information on Turning Pointe Dance Studio visit:
www.turningpointedance.ca
To explore ways we at Community Futures Crowsnest Pass can help your business dreams come true visit: www.crowsnest.albertacf.com/
